Beaverhead River Summary Results of User Survey Summer, 2002 July 1, 2003 Conducted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks with funding assistance from the Beaverhead Community Forum BVHD070103

2 Table of Contents Slide # Introduction3 Biennial Rule4-6 Graph State Wide Angling Use7 Graph Region 3 Angling Use8 Graph Beaverhead River Angling Use9 Methods10 Study Section Map11 Study Design13-16 Example of Sampling Form17 Results18 Individual Data & Graphs19 Definition20 Residency of Users21 User Type by Residency22 Residency of Users Excluding Guide23 Geographic Representation of Non Residents24 Nonresidents User States25 Resident User Counties26 Map of Put-ins % by Access Points27 Map of Take-outs% by Access Points28 Angler Type29 Commercial Trip %30 Random vs. Warden Survey31 Average Trip Length Floating32 Average Trip Length Wade/Bank33 User Type34 Commercial Trip (May ’02-August ’02)35-38 Residency (May ’02-August ’02)39-42 Trip Type (May ’02-August ’02)43-46 Access Site List47 Hired a Guide for Put-ins at Access Site (May ’02-August ’02)48-55 Hired a Guide for Take-outs at Access Site (May ’02-August ’02)56-63 Party Data & Graphs 64 Definition 65 User Type 66 Angler Type 67 User Type % Floating 68 Commercial Trip % Floating 69 User Type % Wade/Bank 70 Commercial Trip % Wade/Bank 71 Outfitter Demographics & Graphs 72 Outfitter State 73 Montana Outfitter County % 74 Montana County Codes 75 Outfitters County Graphs (May ’02-August ’02) Beaverhead 2002

3 In the mid to late 1990’s, fishing pressure and associated angler/user crowding increased dramatically on the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers, prompting concern about present and future quality of experience. Past and current river recreation management efforts in Montana have included: Madison & Gallatin Rivers Rock Creek Smith River Bighorn River 1989 workshops and failed legislation 1999 SB-445 Beaverhead/Big Hole Rivers (vetoed by Governor) 1999 HB-626 Blackfoot River (passed) Introduction Beaverhead 2002

4 State of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission Biennial Rule effective May 2, May 1, 2003 REGULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF USE ON THE BEAVERHEAD RIVER A. Starting on the third Saturday in May through Labor Day, recreational use of the Beaverhead River from the Clark Canyon Dam to its mouth shall be allowed and restricted in designated river reaches as follows: (1) The river reach from the Clark Canyon Dam to the Henneberry Fishing Access Site is open to all fishing, including float outfitting. Each outfitter is limited to the launching or use within the reach of a maximum of 3 boats in any day. (2) The river reach from the Henneberry Fishing Access Site to Barretts Diversion is open to all fishing, including float outfitting. Each outfitter is limited to the launching or use within the reach of a maximum of 3 boats in any day. (3) The river reach from Barretts Diversion to the Highway 91 South (Tash) Bridge is open to all fishing, including float outfitting. Each outfitter is limited to the launching or use within the reach of a maximum of 1 boat in any day. (4) The river reach from the Highway 91 South (Tash) Bridge to Selway Bridge is closed to any float outfitting from the third Saturday in May through Labor Day. (5) The river reach from Selway Bridge to Jessen Park in Twin Bridges is open to all fishing, including float outfitting. Each outfitter is limited to the launching or use within the reach of a maximum of 1 boat in any day. B. Starting on the third Saturday in May through Labor Day, there is a noncommercial residents' day on each Saturday on the river reach from High Bridge Fishing Access Site to the Henneberry Fishing Access Site and on each Sunday on the river reach from Henneberry Fishing Access Site to Pipe Organ Fishing Access Site. No float fishing by nonresidents or float outfitting is allowed during each noncommercial residents' day. C. By this paragraph, the Commission intends to limit outfitter use during peak periods. Each outfitter, from July 1 through August 31 inclusive, shall not exceed the number of client days served by the outfitter on the Beaverhead River during those same months for the outfitterís highest client use year from among the years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, or The records submitted by the outfitter to and maintained by the Board of Outfitters will determine the number of client days outfitted in each year. D. For the purpose of this rule, float fishing by nonresidents and float outfitting includes both fishing from a boat and wade fishing when access is by boat. The terms do not include wade fishing, either guided or non-guided, where access is gained by foot. Float outfitting is the operation of any boat for commercial purposes by a fishing outfitter or guide.

5 Biennial Rule (cont’d) IV. REGULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF USE ON THE BIG HOLE RIVER A. Starting on the third Saturday in May through Labor Day, recreational use of the Big Hole River from its headwaters to the High Road Fishing Access Site shall be allowed and restricted by defining seven river zones with one zone closed to float outfitting each day and with the zone that is restricted on Saturday and the zone that is restricted on Sunday also closed to nonresident float fishing. The seven river zones are defined by a river reach and restricted each day of the week as follows: (1) On each Sunday, the river reach from the Divide Fishing Access Site to the Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site at Melrose is closed to any float fishing by nonresidents and to any float outfitting. (2) On each Monday, the river reach from the Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site to the Glen Bridge Fishing Access Site is closed to any float outfitting. (3) On each Tuesday, the river reach from the headwaters to the Fishtrap Fishing Access Site is closed to any float outfitting. (4) On each Wednesday, the river reach from the Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site to High Road Fishing Access Site is closed to any float outfitting. (5) On each Thursday, the river reach from the Fishtrap Fishing Access Site to the Jerry Creek Fishing Access Site is closed to any float outfitting. (6) On each Friday, the river reach from the Glen Bridge Fishing Access Site to the Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site is closed to any float outfitting. (7) On each Saturday, the river reach from Jerry Creek Fishing Access Site to the Divide Fishing Access Site is closed to any float fishing by nonresidents and to any float outfitting. B. All float users, including each float outfitter, are limited to a total of 2 launches at or near each official access site per day. Official access sites are those that are publicly owned, managed and maintained as an access point, including: High Road, Pennington, Notch Bottom, Glen, Brownes Bridge, Salmon Fly at Melrose, Maiden Rock FWP, Maiden Rock BLM, Divide, Power House, Dewey, Jerry Creek, Mallons, Dickie Bridge, Eastbank, Sportsmans Park, Fishtrap, and Mudd Creek Bridge fishing access sites. If a boat is launched at an unofficial site, the launch will be counted as occurring at the nearest official site in determining the two-boat limit at or near each official access site. C. By this paragraph, the Commission intends to limit outfitter use during peak periods. Each outfitter, from June 1 through July 31 inclusive, shall not exceed the number of client days served by the outfitter on the Big Hole River during those same months for the outfitterís highest client use year from among the years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, or The records submitted by the outfitter to and maintained by the Board of Outfitters will determine the number of client days outfitted in each year. D. For the purpose of this rule, float fishing by nonresidents and float outfitting includes both fishing from a boat and wade fishing when access is by boat. The terms do not include wade fishing, either guided or non-guided, where access is gained by foot. Float outfitting is the operation of any boat for commercial purposes by a fishing outfitter or guide.

6 V. CONTINUATION OF OUTFITTER MORATORIUM ON THE BEAVERHEAD AND BIG HOLE RIVERS For the term of this biennial rule, the moratorium on new outfitter use of the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers imposed in the biennial rule effective July 1, 1999 through May 1, 2001, that was adopted June 29, 1999, and amended on January 12, 2000, is continued. Under this rule the Commission asserts that the use of a public resource is a privilege, not a right, and that continuation of the moratorium does not in any way establish a compensable or transferable property right by the outfitters benefiting from the moratorium. The moratorium provides that a person, subject to the use limitations in III.C. or IV.C., may not outfit on the Beaverhead or Big Hole rivers except: A. An outfitter with documented use of the Beaverhead River prior to December 31, 1998, may continue to operate on this river. B. An outfitter with documented use of the Big Hole River prior to December 31, 1998, may continue to operate on this river. C. An outfitter who has not documented use of the Beaverhead River prior to December 31, 1998, may not operate on this river unless he/she was licensed by the Board of Outfitters between December 1, 1998 and July 1, 1999, and his/her operating plan included the Beaverhead River. D. An outfitter who has not documented use of the Big Hole River prior to December 31, 1998, may not operate on this river unless he/she was licensed by the Board of Outfitters between December 1, 1998 and July 1, 1999, and his/her operating plan included the Big Hole River. Biennial Rule (cont’d) Beaverhead 2002

7 Angling Use Statewide Beaverhead 2002

8 Angling Use FWP Region 3 Beaverhead 2002

9 Angling Use Beaverhead River Beaverhead 2002

10 Methods Beaverhead 2002

11 DILLON BLACKTAIL DEER CREEK High Bridge Buffalo Bridge Henneberry FAS Pipe Organ Bridge Grasshopper Barretts GRASSHOPPER CREEK CLARK CANYON RESERVOIR Dam Study Reach - Dam to Selway 4 miles Selway Bridge Beaverhead 2002

12 –U1 Barretts / Grasshopper -L1 Barretts –U2 Pipe Organ Bridge -L2 Tash –U3 Henneberry FAS -L3 Park Street –U4 High Bridge FAS -L4 Selway –U5 Buffalo Bridge / Dam BEAVERHEAD RIVER SECTIONS Beaverhead 2002

13 Study Design Two Sample Section –Barretts Diversion to Clark Canyon Dam –Barretts to Selway –Nine Sample Stations –Barretts / Grasshopper – U1-Barretts – L1 –Pipe Organ Bridge – U2- Tash – L2 –Henneberry FAS – U3- Park Street – L3 –High Bridge FAS – U4- Selway – L4 –Buffalo Bridge / Dam – U5 Beaverhead 2002

14 Study Design Surveyed from May 18 through August 31 Sampled 5 days per week Sampled 7 hours per day 3 weekdays sampled per week 2 weekend days sampled per week Beaverhead 2002

15 Study Design 2 sample time periods per day A.M. period 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. P.M. period 2:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Time periods were selected randomly w/o replacement Beaverhead 2002

16 Study Design Starting station selected randomly daily and then rest sampled in order (systematic random sample) with replacement Weekdays sampled were random w/o replacement Beaverhead 2002

17 Sampling Form Beaverhead 2002

18 Results Beaverhead 2002

19 Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

20 Definition Individual: Any/every single person including guides contacted during the survey (except small children) Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

21 Residency of Users Nonresident Resident Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

22 User Type by Residency Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

23 Residency of Users Excluding Guides Nonresident Resident Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

24 Geographic Representation of Nonresident Users 46 states and District of Columbia represented Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

25 Nonresident User States California – 10.7% Utah– 10.3% Idaho – 6.0% Washington – 3.8% Texas – 2.8% Top 5 states represented Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

26 Resident User Counties Beaverhead County – 62.8% Madison County – 6.9% Gallatin County – 6.4% Missoula County – 6.4% Flathead County – 3.4% Top 5 MT counties represented Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

27 DILLON BLACKTAIL DEER CREEK High Bridge – 20.6% Buffalo Bridge – 28.0 % Henneberry FAS – 18.2 % Pipe Organ Bridge - 6.1% Grasshopper – 1.3% Barretts - 3.1% GRASSHOPPER CREEK CLARK CANYON RESERVOIR Dam – 15.1% Put-ins (%) By Access Point 4 milesIndividual Data Beaverhead 2002

28 DILLON BLACKTAIL DEER CREEK High Bridge – 4.9% Buffalo Bridge – 9.2 % Henneberry FAS – 35.6 % Pipe Organ Bridge % Grasshopper – 9.1% Barretts - 7.6% GRASSHOPPER CREEK CLARK CANYON RESERVOIR Dam – 1.1% Take-outs (%) By Access Point 4 miles Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

29 Angler Type Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

30 Commercial Trip? Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

31 Overall Commercial Use 1999 (% of Individual on a Guided Trip) Warden vs. Random (this) Survey Comparing only anglers; excluding guides Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

32 Average Trip Length Commercial trip – 7.6 hours Non-commercial trip – 6.6 hours Floating Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

33 Average Trip Length Commercial trip – 6.9 hours Non-commercial trip – 5.7 hours Wade/Bank Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

34 User Type Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

35 Beaverhead River – May 2002 Commercial Trip Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

36 Beaverhead River – June 2002 Commercial Trip Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

37 Beaverhead River – July 2002 Commercial Trip Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

38 Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Commercial Trip Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

39 Beaverhead River – May 2002 Residency Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

40 Beaverhead River – June 2002 Residency Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

41 Beaverhead River – July 2002 Residency Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

42 Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Residency Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

43 Beaverhead River – May 2002 Trip Type Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

44 Beaverhead River – June 2002 Trip Type Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

45 Beaverhead River – July 2002 Trip Type Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

46 Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Trip Type Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

47 ACCESS SITES I.Two Sample Section: Upper Section – Barretts Diversion to Clark Canyon Dam Lower Section – Barretts to Selway II.Nine Sample Stations: Barretts / Grasshopper – U1Barretts – L1 Pipe Organ Bridge – U2Tash – L2 Henneberry FAS – U3Park Street – L3 High Bridge FAS – U4Selway – L4 Buffalo Bridge / Dam – U5 III.Section Delineators (Put-in / Take-out) U01 – DamL08 - Barretts U02 – Buffalo BridgeL09 - Tash U03 – High Bridge FASL10 – Park Street U04 – Henneberry FASL11 - Selway U05 – Pipe Organ BridgeL12 – Anderson Lane U06 – Grasshopper U07 – Barretts Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

48 Upper Beaverhead River – May 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

49 Individual Data Beaverhead 2002 Lower Beaverhead River – May 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites

50 Upper Beaverhead River – June 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

51 Lower Beaverhead River – June 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

52 Upper Beaverhead River – July 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

53 Lower Beaverhead River – July 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

54 Upper Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

55 Lower Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Hire Guide for Put-ins at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

56 Upper Beaverhead River – May 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

57 Lower Beaverhead River – May 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

58 Upper Beaverhead River – June 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

59 Lower Beaverhead River – June 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

60 Upper Beaverhead River – July 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

61 Lower Beaverhead River – July 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

62 Upper Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

63 Lower Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Hire Guide for Take-outs at Access Sites Individual Data Beaverhead 2002

64 Party Data

65 Definition PARTY: Floaters - One boat regardless of number of occupants is equal to one party Wade/Bank - One group is equal to one party Party Data Beaverhead 2002

66 User Type Party Data Beaverhead 2002

67 Angler Type Party Data Beaverhead 2002

68 Use Type - Floating Party Data Beaverhead 2002

69 Commercial Trip - Floating Party Data Beaverhead 2002

70 Use Type - Wade/Bank Party Data Beaverhead 2002

71 Commercial Trip Wade/Bank Party Data Beaverhead 2002

72 Outfitter Demographics

73 Outfitter State 99.7% Montana 0.3% Minnesota Beaverhead 2002

74 Outfitter County MT Beaverhead – 77.5% Madison – 14.0% Ravalli – 1.3% Silver Bow – 0.8% Gallatin – 0.5% Others – 5.9% Beaverhead 2002

75 NoCounty SeatCountyNoCounty SeatCounty 1ButteSilver Bow29ForsythRosebud 2Great FallsCascade30AnacondaDeer Lodge 3BillingsYellowstone31ChoteauTeton 4Missoula 32ColumbusStillwater 5HelenaLewis & Clark33HyshamTreasure 6BozemanGallatin34PlentywoodSheridan 7KalispellFlathead35Thompson FallsSanders 8LewistownFergus36StanfordJudith Basin 9BroadusPowder River37ScobeyDaniels 10Red LodgeCarbon38Cut BankGlacier 11MaltaPhillips39BakerFallon 12HavreHill40Big TimberSweet Grass 13HamiltonRavalli41CircleMcCone 14Miles CityCuster42EkalakaCarter 15PolsonLake43TownsendBroadwater 16GlendiveDawson44HarlowtonWheatland 17Wolf PointRoosevelt45TerryPrairie 18DillonBeaverhead46PhillipsburgGranite 19F. BentonChouteau47WhiteSulphurSpgsMeagher 20GlasgowValley48ChesterLiberty 21ShelbyToole49LivingstonPark 22HardinBig Horn50JordanGarfield 23RoundupMusselshell51BoulderJefferson 24ChinookBlaine52Wibaux 25Virginia CityMadison53RyegateGolden Valley 26ConradPondera54SuperiorMineral 27SidneyRichland55WinnettPetroleum 28Deer LodgePowell56LibbyLincoln Montana County Codes Beaverhead 2002

76 Beaverhead River – May 2002 Outfitter County Beaverhead 2002

77 Beaverhead River – June 2002 Outfitter County Beaverhead 2002

78 Beaverhead River – July 2002 Outfitter County Beaverhead 2002

79 Beaverhead River – Aug 2002 Outfitter County Beaverhead 2002